[is this thing on?]

Time to hop back on ye ol’ blogging wagon again — I really do miss this space. Back in my blogging heyday, grrrlmeetworld.com was a place for me to really process how I felt about personal, political, and religious issues.

Today, between my Twitter feed and FB postings, I’m finding myself too diversified in my social media outlets to pay much attention to this space. And that’s a problem, considering that so much of the Twitter and Facebook world are about short-attention span reflection, rather than a spacious exploration that a blog post allows.

So here I am. And I promise to give a good effort to allow myself reflection time here — so the handful of you who are out there, and still check me out, thanks for sticking around. (and yes, thanks to even you spam-bots and occasional trolls who try to post your “thoughts” here)

Now for the infamous “catch-up” bulleted list post of what I’ve been up to:

I’m an auntie, again! Welcome to the planet, baby Charlie. My sister is now fully adored by 3 men in her life, and I can’t wait to meet the new little one. My mom is up there helping her adjust to being the mama of two — I can’t imagine the changes she’s facing. I’m almost 100% positive that I’m going to remain a mama of ONE very busy little grrrl.

Speak of the devil, Emmalee Anne is turning FOUR on Tuesday. At once it feels hard to believe she’s already that old. Then again, this whole year has been one of infinite changes — she’s now in school 5 days a week, she’s capable of holding full conversations with us (over all sorts of topics), and she is so tall that she’s often confused for being much older than nearly-four.This past holiday season was so fun to be a parent — Emma loved singing carols, got a kick out of the Grinch (her singing the Whoville songs was PRICELESS), and she was so fun to watch open presents.She’s definitely her own grrrl, which is both cool and horrifying to witness, as a parent.She’s *completely* enamored with the old-school Disney “Sleeping Beauty” film, so much so that we’re having a “Princess Party” for her next weekend. I joked on Facebook the other day that this must be my karma for being such a tomboy growing up! (I was the girl who wore jeans underneath her Sunday dresses) — but, despite my misgivings over shopping in the “pink” aisles at Toys R Us, I’m very happy to be the mama of Miss Emmalee. She’s shaping up to be one pretty cool kid, despite her mama’s efforts!

I’m halfway done with the online correspondence Celebrant course I’m taking this year. Starting in February, I’ll be specializing in Ceremonies for Families and Children — and I’m very excited to dive into it! Turns out there is another Celebrant-in-Training in the area, and I’m hoping the two of us can take Saskatoon by storm in 2011. Stay tuned, because I’ll write more about what I’m learning, hopefully soon.

Speaking of being involved with families and children, the group I help facilitate, the Saskatoon Secular Family Network, is doing really well in its second year. We had a successful December gathering, and over the last few months, a few of us mamas have been getting together to discuss a book on parenting. It’s been great to find support in other local parents, and I’m excited to see what the next year will bring. A quick preview: right now we’re in the process of planning a “science day” on Darwin’s birthday (February 12th), and there’s already talk of another Camp Hoodoo this summer!

The other group I help coordinate, Café Apostate, is also doing really well. Last month we had a great turnout at our meeting, including someone of a Hindu background! I’m very happy to be a part of such a group, and to see what a difference it’s making for the people who come out to our events.

While I’ve been neglecting this poor blog space, I have been contributing to other sites on the ‘net. I’m still a member of the Canadian Atheist team, and I’m now helping administrate the Parents Beyond Belief site as well. I’m very excited to be active in the atheist/secular humanist/freethinking community. I recently renewed my CFI Canada membership, and I’m also now a member of the Freethought Association of Canada. 2011 will probably see me getting even more involved in these atheisty efforts, as they are part of my passion!

In news that may surprise a lot of you, I’ve been going to a type of “church” lately — though I don’t call it such. I’ve been getting more involved with the Unitarian Centre of Saskatoon. I’m still very much a nonbeliever/nontheist, but I love the ethics of the Unitarian system, and I think having Emma involved with their “religious education” system will be such an asset in her growing up. It’s a comparative approach to religious systems, and I’m excited to have her learn about different ways people celebrate and try to make sense of the world — I may be an atheist, but I wouldn’t exactly call me an anti-theist (unless your religious ideology is harming human rights). I still laugh about how one of my (former) religious friends in Saskatoon once referred to the Unitarians as having a “dark presence” — if anything, these people are some of the nicest, most genuine you’ll meet. I’m glad to call some of them my friends!

In terms of my latest reading kick? I’ve been a little obsessed over reading about ZOMBIES. In just the last few months I’ve read: Pride and Prejudice and Zombies (along with its prequel, Dawn of the Dreadfuls), World War Z, Zombie Apocalypse, and most recently: The Walking Dead graphic novel series. I’ve also been enjoying all the George Romero flicks — Night of the Living Dead, Dawn of the Dead (my favorite!), Day of the Dead, Land of the Dead … If you’re curious why I’d be into such horror subject, you should listen to this interview on CBC’s Q with George Romero, and you’ll get a taste of why I’m so into it. (hey! That would make another good post for me to write, wouldn’t it?)

That’s probably enough of a catch-up, if you’re even still reading these rambles. There’s much going on in my life these days, but for the most part, it’s good. While I miss my family in the States, I have some amazing friendships here in Saskatoon to take their place. I’m content in my job, and I’m looking forward to the next steps of where I may go in my upcoming Celebrancy side-career.

Thanks for not giving up on me and my long blog-silences. Rest assured I’ll be back soon with some kind of rant about religion or politics that is bound to piss someone off.